We had the pleasure of being involved in a national hockey tournament recently where the team won its final. All those involved, throughout the trials, were in our opinion winners because of the effort that they had put in to get that far. It was a very enjoyable day.
To achieve at this level, most were physically prepared through training, and through the games that they regularly play at school. However, we know that having your mind in the right place to achieve at the right time is vital to reaching the top. There is a dimension to this in being ready as an individual, and collectively as a team. The old adage of ‘there is no I in team’ springs to mind.
Preparation is everything
As part of the support group, what did we consider? A simple list of ‘do and don’t’ points circulated before the tournament and considered with the team was very helpful, and the points we looked at apply equally to any sporting event or activity:
Do | Don't |
Get enough sleep before the day | Go to bed late before the day |
Warm up properly - incorporate a couple of sprints into your warmup if you can | Drink energy drinks before your first game |
Stay hydrated - water and energy drinks can work in combination | Let your muscles get cold in between games or activities |
Cool down after each game/activity | Get cold. Keep warm and avoid damp |
Keep warm between games/activities: walk around and put on an extra layer | Spending your downtime sitting still on your phone. If you don't use your downtime constructively, you won't have enough muscle power to stay the course |
In pairs: dynamic stretching/foam roller/massage gun between games/activities. This helps to reduce muscle soreness | No static stretching - this can cause strains and injuries |
Stick to tried and tested foods the day before - don't try new foods | Avoid oily, fried or fatty foods as they are harder to digest |
Eat regular meals and nutritious snacks rather than sugary snacks | Don't skip meals and try not to leave more than four hours between meals |
These might seem like simple, common-sense points, and that’s exactly what they are, and they can be applied to any physical activity you intend to undertake.
A big thank you to Fiona Hayers from Nourish From Within for the food / dietary points in the ‘do’s and don’t’s’ above. Indeed, thank you to all that allowed the team to make it happen.
Contact Us
If you are preparing for a tournament, game or other physical activity, then we are here to help with your physiotherapy and massage / reflexology needs. If you are interested in our services feel free to call us on 07309 272 555 or email Physio@Lifemadesimple.co.uk. Life Made Simple - expert physiotherapy in Guildford and Surrey.